Otranto Travel Guide

  Outside Melendugno
by BlueLlama
 
  • Outside Melendugno
      Outside Melendugno
    by BlueLlama
  • Otranto's harbour and beach
      Otranto's harbour and beach
    by BlueLlama
  • Great food, great views: Acmet Pascia'
      Great food, great views: Acmet Pascia'
    by BlueLlama
  • Acmet Pascia'
      Acmet Pascia'
    by BlueLlama
  • Reflection
      Reflection
    by BlueLlama
 

Explore Otranto

Things to Do  

Beaches and coves

Beaches and coves, Otranto

 BlueLlama Says:  Otranto has a facinating history, but its main draw in summertime is its coastal location. The waters here are called the Strait of Otranto and you can find any number of spots to sunbathe and swim in the sea.The town itself has beaches right in the centre. The harbour is... 

Basilica di San pietro

Basilica di San pietro, Otranto

 ludogatto Says:  The basilica of St. Peter is the best example of medieval church of Byzantine origin in Puglia, well preserved and restored. Look for it between the streets of the old city 

The castle

The castle, Otranto

 ludogatto Says:  The castle was built by Ferdinand I of Aragon in the 14 century. The castle is impressive and is one of the most important of Puglia. 

Cattedrale and mosaico pavimentale

Cattedrale and mosaico pavimentale, Otranto

 ludogatto Says:  The cathedral was built in the highest part of Otranto so people could see iteverywhere. It 'a wonderful work of 1100, which has undergone changes and additions during the centuries. The particular feature of this cathedral is the floor mosaic that represents the struggle of... 

like a fortress

like a fortress, Otranto

 ludogatto Says:  Otranto, over the centuries, has had to defend itself from attacks by enemies coming from the sea, then the old city is surrounded by huge ramparts to protect the Castro, there was inside the castle, cathedral and everything they needed to survive 

the old town

the old town, Otranto

 ludogatto Says:  the old town is the Casto and u have to take a nice walking looking to the old restaured house with their architecture. Now Otranto is famouse not only for the Castro and the old beauty but also for the magnificent coast with incredible beaches, so many stanger have bought... 

The incredible blue of the port

The incredible blue of the port, Otranto

 ludogatto Says:  The port of Otranto is really incrdibile: boats float on a sea blue as crystal....This is not only a fisherman port, but there are also ferry boat to Greece and Albania. 

the waterfront

the waterfront, Otranto

 ludogatto Says:  Otranto have a nice waterfront with restaurants, a special big ice cream and 'pasticceria' (delicious) where u can spend a plesant evening looking to the people that love to do 'watching people' and love to be watched!At the end of the waterfront after the little bridge... 

the beach in the town

the beach in the town, Otranto

 ludogatto Says:  if u are lazy to go to the big main beaches in the north of Otranto, or only u wantoto relax for a while sunbathing or swimming a little bit u cna stay in the 'central' beach....the sea is blue and nice, a little bit crowded in high season, but perfect for a quick stop after... 

I didn't get a pic of the Duomo - sorry,

I didn't get a pic of the Duomo - sorry,, Otranto

 craic Says:  But I must tell you about it because it is rather special. And then you will have the pleasure of seeing it for yourself for the first time, unmediated by pics.It's very very old. Older than anyone living, or their grandmother.The mosaic floor is rather heathen - a tree of... 

Hotels  

Hotel Palazzo Papaleo

 1 Review and 125 Opinions  My stay was like a dream and I often feel the nostalgia not to be there. I arrived late but there... 

Hotel Il Gabbiano

 1 Review and 6 Opinions  Il Gabbiano is a pleasant two-star hotel located pretty much slap-bang in the middle of Otranto,... 

Restaurants  

Acmet Pascia': Spaghetti alle vongole par excellance

Acmet Pascia': Spaghetti alle vongole par excellance, Otranto

 BlueLlama Says:  Enjoying a plate of fresh local fish while looking out over the sea it came from is one of the idyllic experiences of Mediterranean holidays. Ok, so the sea in question here is the Adriatic, but our visit to Acmet Pascia' was one such perfect moment.Otranto is famous for the... 

Zia Fernanda: Fish!

Zia Fernanda: Fish!, Otranto

 ludogatto Says:  Zia Fernanda Palumbo personally performs most of the proposals. Fish without any doubt [the sea is 100 meters]: pepper of mussels, octopus salad, swordfish carpaccio. Good pasta dishes proposed with fresh pasta made at home. Try the noodles with seafood, the 'sagne' with... 

Nightlife  

Otranto town centre: Summer evening's passeggiata

Otranto town centre: Summer evening's passeggiata, Otranto

 BlueLlama Says:  As you might expect from a popular Italian seaside town, Otranto has a lively atmosphere on summer evenings. Just as soon as the sun begins to dip, the streets become busier until the little alleys are filled with people and noise.Shops are open until late and restaurants... 

Transportation  

Ferrovie Sudest

Ferrovie Sudest, Otranto

 salmayo Says:  The local railway company, the Ferrovie Sudest, has a line which terminates in Otranto. The trip from Lecce can take upwards of an hour but it's really worthwhile going on the train. The trip necessitates at least one change, sometimes two, but it takes you right through the... 

Local Customs  

The struscio

The struscio, Otranto

 ludogatto Says:  Even in Otranto, as in other countries of the South, is accustomed to do the Sunday or evening walk on the seafront or in the main streets: all people take care of their dress style, with the most fashionable clothes (and here are really fashion victims!),to be able to be... 

Off The Beaten Path  

The most easterly point on the Italian peninsular

The most easterly point on the Italian peninsular, Otranto

 salmayo Says:  The recently restored lighthouse, the 'Faro di Palascia' at Otranto marks the most easterly point on the Italian peninsular. Built in 1867 and used as a lighthouse until the 70s, it has been recently restored and transformed into a small museum and research centre for... 

Great Excuse to get out for a walk in the country

Great Excuse to get out for a walk in the country, Otranto

 salmayo Says:  Otranto is such a charming city and full of interesting things to do and see that often the surrounding area is neglected for lack of time. For those who have an extra day or two in the area, it is really worthwhile getting out into the countryside, for a seaside walk or... 

The beaches

The beaches, Otranto

 ludogatto Says:  On the coast north of Otranto stretch for miles of beautiful white sand beaches and crystal blue sea, with pine forests secular behind. And you must have a means of transportation to reach them, even a bicycle, as we have done to Bay of Turks, but there discourage the use of... 

Sports & Outdoors  

kite surf

kite surf, Otranto

 ludogatto Says:  this area is very good todo kite surf during the spring and in sept october, the wind is strong and the beaches are empty.IF you want to do kite surfing near Otranto you have to go to the beach of Frassanito or to Alimini beachwhere there are also schools. 

The Place

Plan a Otranto vacation with reviews, tips and photos posted by real travelers and Otranto locals

Experience Otranto
  •   33 Tips and Reviews
  •  76 Photos
  Share your Travels  
Map of Otranto
 

The People

 
Our Members Say
 profile photo

 I wish to put the receipe of this fantastic food....made of tomato, mozzarella cheese and besciamella...:) 

 

Questions and Answers

SFtatar profile photo

Q:  What is the best, economical way to get to Otranto from Brindisi, Italy airport? There are 2 of us and we heard taxis may charge... 

JoyDivision profile photo

A: You can rent a car (it's less expensive than a taxi) but it's less expensive go go by train from Brindisi to Lecce and then by bus from Lecce to Otranto. Bye 

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Top Otranto Writers

1

There's a castle in Otranto

craic profile photo

 One hears of the gothic horror novel The Castle of Otranto all the time. (Not that I've read it.) So I was well pleased when I was told while staying in Lecce that we were doing a day trip to Otranto.... 

2

Blue

ludogatto profile photo

 ..........Otranto, also called "Oriental Door", faces the Straits that take the same name, the Otranto Canal located on the South of the Adriatic, the most oriental point of Italy. In times gone by... 

3

The best sea in the whole Italy

barrikello profile photo

 Otranto is placed every year at the top of the best seaside town chart in Italy. This means not only some of the cleanest waters in the Mediterranean, but also quality of life and of tourism.... 

4

Had no idea it would be this nice

Maidstoneman profile photo

 A lovely small old town with Cathedral and Castle. Tiny alleys, restaurants and bars, all backed by a huge harbour with safe swimming and a great bustling promenade. 

5

Otranto is a jewlery

marcandre profile photo

 the story of the city of Otranto began before the Roman Empire with the messapiche settlements, Greek colons. So a traveller can find around here megalithic stones, caves along the seaside with wall... 

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